Thursday, November 20, 2014

To Kayak Harpeth River Is A Bucket List Adventure Beyond Compare

By Mayra Pierce


The 125 mile long Harpeth River that meanders through the prolific hills and valleys of Middle Tennesse is a wildlife paradise of unsurpassed beauty for outdoor adventurists and water lovers. The fresh water river is not only host to a wide and diverse variety of aquatic species, but allegedly also to the ghost of the late iron industrialist Montgomery Bell. For anyone in the region who owns a kayak Harpeth River is the ultimate choice.

Not many rivers offer such a long stretch of boating and floating opportunities. Paddlers can choose from a variety of short and longer trips varying from 90 minutes to 8 hours. Whether you want a slow, relaxing paddle or a action-packed vigorous white-water challenge, the Harpeth offers ample opportunities for paddlers of all levels of competency.

Visitors can launch their kayaks from any of a number of launching and take-off sites along the river. If you do not have your own canoe or kayak, you can rent some top of the class-gear at local outfitters. Another option is the guided day trips and group excursions offered by various companies. Knowledgeable, certified guides accompany groups of up to 20 people on sightseeing and fun trips that even include paddling instruction.

This is where the great blue heron and king fisher feed and breed. The shores abound with deer, wild turkey, geese, ducks and other waterfowl. Bring your binoculars and spend a quiet, relaxing afternoon paddling among tree-lined river banks where the bald eagle nests high above in the cypress trees.

The Harpeth offers wonderful fishing opportunities for anglers of all levels of experience. Get some fishing rods and treat the family to a leisurely day of paddling while trying to hook some bass, bream or crappie. Enjoy your son's excitement when he catches his first bluegill or channel catfish.

The Harpeth is also a fisherman's paradise. It is one of the unique freshwater river systems in the Southeast, boasting a wider variety of aquatic wildlife than anywhere else in the world. Species such as big and small mouth bass, bream and channel catfish flourish in the prolific water. Along the river banks you can spot myriads of indigenous fauna such as waterfowl, deer and king fisher.

Nothing beats a day of kayaking for outdoor exercise in sublime surroundings. It is a wonderful way to meet like-minded people and enjoy family time in pristine nature. If you are new to the area, the guided excursions and day trips for groups of up to twenty people are a good option to get to know the area. These trips are all-inclusive and even offer paddling instruction by certified guides.

The Harpeth offers something for everyone. From a kayak, you get an unsurpassed close-up view of the majestic cliffs and waterfalls. You can paddle past heritage sites such as the Indian burial mounds that date back as far as 700 - 1,300 AD. Or paddle to the tunnel at the Narrows of the Harpeth where Montgomery Bell allegedly used slave labor and explosives to blast a tunnel through 100 yards of rock to gain access to the 14-foot waterfall for his iron forge. The beautiful pond at the foot of the waterfall that now marks the site of the old forge, is a wonderful spot for a family picnic.




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